Velvet Season on the Costa Blanca: Why Autumn Is Magical

Autumn on the Costa Blanca, from September to November, is often called the Velvet Season. Why? Because it blends the warmth of summer sun with the gentler, more comfortable air of fall. The summer crowds thin, the light softens, and the pace slows. It’s a time when nature, food, history, and outdoor life all come together beautifully.

Weather: Comfortable, Not Extreme

  • In September, daytime temperatures typically hover around 25-28 °C with evenings cooler but still mild. 
  • By October, highs are often around 23-24 °C, night temperatures may drop into mid-teens (≈ 13-18 °C), enough to bring a sweater or light jacket for evenings. 
  • Rain becomes somewhat more frequent in mid-to-late autumn, especially in October, but showers are usually short and not constant. 
  • Sea temperature in early autumn remains pleasant for a swim (September), declining gradually but often still usable in October.

These weather conditions are ideal: warm sun, softer light, cooler nights, fewer blazing days. That’s what gives autumn its “velvet” feel.

Why Velvet Season Is Great: Advantages

  1. Fewer Crowds: Beaches, towns, and popular tourist spots are much less busy. You can explore just by walking without the bustle of peak season.
  2. Nature & Scenery: The landscapes inland and along the coast change: vineyards ripen, fields settle, wildlife is more visible. Great for hiking in natural parks, cycling through scenic valleys, or exploring the Serra Gelada, Montgó, Penyal d’Ifac among others.
  3. Historical and Cultural Sites Are More Accessible: Attractions like Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante become more pleasant to visit—not scorching, less crowded, more atmospheric in the softer autumn light. 
  4. Food & Wine Season: Fresh seasonal seafood, local harvests, and wine from the Alicante region are at their best. Banyuls, Fondillón, and other regional wines, as well as produce like citrus, almonds, olives, chestnuts, are in season.
  5. Comfortable Outdoor Activities: Walking, cycling, kayaking, boat trips (e.g. to Tabarca Island) are far more enjoyable when it’s warm but not burning hot. Evenings are perfect for long dinners outdoors.

What to Pack & Tips

  • Layered Clothing — lightweight during day, something warmer in evening.
  • Rain Protection — a light rain jacket or umbrella for occasional showers (especially October).
  • Sun Protection — sun still strong, especially in September. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
  • Comfortable Shoes — for walking, hills, cobblestones.
  • Check Opening Times — some attractions may reduce hours off-peak, so verify in advance (especially in November).

Velvet Season on the Costa Blanca is not just quieter—it’s more soulful. The weather invites you to linger, to walk slowly, to eat well, to look deeply. If you like a mix of history, nature, good food, and beautiful light, autumn here delivers. It’s a time when Costa Blanca shows a side that many visitors miss—but once discovered, deeply cherished.